GDACS is a cooperation framework between the United Nations, the European Commission and disaster managers worldwide to improve alerts, information exchange and coordination in the first phase after major sudden-onset disasters.

Summary

This flood is expected to have a low humanitarian impact based on the magnitude and the affected population and their vulnerability.

Updated: this report is based on update 2.

Flood magnitude: 6.63

Duration: from 03/03/2012 00:00 UTC to 07/03/2012 23:59 UTC

Impact: 65 killed and 0 displaced

Primary cause of floods: Tropical Storm Irina

Severity: class 2 (i.e. this is an extreme event with an estimated recurrence interval greater than 100 years)

The alert score is based on the reported death and displaced. Red = 1000 or more
people killed or 800000 or more people displaced. Orange = 100 or more people killed
or 80000 or more displaced.

Flood event

Magnitude: 6.63

Source: DFO

Location (latitude/longitude): -18.968, 46.943

Date: 03/03/2012 to 07/03/2012

Satellite observations

Current surface water and potential flooded areas map (radar imagery)

The Global Flood Detection System of JRC uses passive microwave remote sensing to observe
surface water for large floods. Statistical anomalies in surface water are shown
as red areas, which correspond roughly to the flooded area. Extreme rainfall also
causes anomalies, but is masked by the yellow layer (TRMM rainfall).

Accumulated rain 24hrs (TRMM) map

Flash floods and landslides cannot be recorded by microwave remote sensing. These
events are caused by extreme rainfall in susceptible mountainous areas. The map
below shows the extreme rainfall recorded by the Tropical Rainfall Monitoring mission
in the last 24h (mm/24h).

More information

Data resources

About the data

Information related to the flood has been collected from official and media reports
by the Dartmouth Flood Observatory.

Disclaimer

While we try everything to ensure accuracy, this information is purely indicative and should not be used for any decision making without alternate sources of information. The JRC is not responsible for any damage or loss resulting from the use of the information presented on this website.